NATO data shows Afghanistan violence reaches record levels

Insurgent violence hit record levels in Afghanistan last week, reaching its highest level since 2001 as the commander of US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan warned Thursday that he expects “tough months” ahead.

Attacks soared 59 percent from January through May from the first five months of 2008, according to a report by NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

All told, insurgent violence climbed 33 percent in 2008, they said.

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ISAF statistics show the number of insurgent attacks in May surpassing the 1,400-mark for only the second time since January 2007. Monthly attacks first topped 1,400 in August 2008, according to the report, which includes data of attacks on US and NATO forces as well as Afghan military, police, government and civilian targets.

“The past week was the highest level of security incidents in Afghanistan’s post-liberation history,” General David Petraeus said in a speech in Kabul, referring to the Taliban’s ouster from power in late 2001.